This project is the first world-wide comparative analysis of the discursive
controversies around quotas and of the actual implementation of various
quota
systems. The project will study the discursive controversy around quotas
2) the
decision-making processes that led to the introduction of quotas, 3) the
implementation of various types of legal quota systems and party quotas
in different
political systems and 4) the consequences of quotas, the intended as well
as the
unintended. Under what conditions do quota systems lead to the empowerment
of
women?
Quotas represent a change in public equality policy, from “equal opportunities” to “equality of results”. But quotas also touches upon fundamental questions in democratic theory (e.g. social representation versus representation of ideas) and in feminist theory (e.g. the construction of women as a political category)
The project will also study the influence of international organisations. It will focus on the process of "translation", e.g. the strategy used by women's movements in individual countries to transform and make use of the new international discourse on quotas into their own national political process.
In political life quotas have often raised vehement debates. Research on
quotas so far has tended to concentrate on these debates and on the actual
decisions-making process. These discursive controversies are also an
essential part of the present research project, but in addition, an emphasis
is being
placed on the too often neglected aspect of the troublesome implementation
of quotas and on the consequences of introducing quotas. From studies
of single countries we know, that a decision to introduce for instance
a requirement
of a minimum of 30% of each gender on the electoral lists does not automatically
lead to women getting 30% of the seats. Thus by comparing the use of
quotas in different electoral systems and under different quota systems,
this
project will illuminate whether and under what conditions quotas can
be considered an equal policy measure, that does contribute to the stated
goal, equal political citizenship of women.
Even if constitutional amendments and new electoral laws may seem more commanding, it is not at all evident, that this method is more efficient when it comes to implementation than party quotas. It all depends on the actual rules and possible sanctions for non-compliance. A distinction must be made between
There are examples of quota requirements on all three levels, but most quota systems concern the second level. Here the crucial question is, where e.g. the 40 procent required women are placed on the lists or in the districts with real chances of election.
For the purpose of cross-national comparison, the project has formed a network of international scholars that have conducted single country studies about the introduction of quotas.
The project co-operates with International IDEA. The web site, www.quotaproject.org is the result of the co-operation between IDEA and this project.